For decades, William & Mary has been a proud member of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) — a conference that has provided stability, strong competition in football, and a solid regional footprint. But with the ever-changing landscape of college athletics, Tribe fans have often wondered: is W&M in the best possible conference situation?

With NCAA realignment continuing to reshape the map, two intriguing alternatives emerge — not just in name, but in philosophical direction:

1. Move most sports to a league like the Atlantic 10 (A10) while keeping football in the CAA.
2. Move all sports — including football — to a league like the Patriot League.

Both options reflect distinct values. And they’re not just theoretical: what is likely W&M’s closest comp school, the University of Richmond, already competes in the A10 for all sports except football, where it now plays in the Patriot League. It’s a model that W&M could plausibly follow — or improve upon — depending on what path it prioritizes.

And before diving deeper, let’s give a major shout out to the W&M Women’s Basketball team — the first-ever Tribe basketball team to make the NCAA Tournament! Not only did they punch their ticket, they won their First Four game. A historic moment for the school — and a reminder that March success is possible in any conference, with the right team and timing.

Is the CAA Still the Right Fit for W&M?

The CAA has been W&M’s home for decades, and it has seen plenty of change over the years. Once a premier mid-major basketball conference, it has become even more football-driven in recent realignment, adding schools like Campbell, Monmouth, and Hampton while losing flagship basketball programs like VCU, George Mason, and Old Dominion.

Pros of Staying in the CAA

✅ Strong Football Conference – The CAA remains one of the better FCS leagues in the country.
✅ Familiar Regional Footprint – Some of W&M’s traditional rivals remain in the league (though this number is quickly dwindling).
✅ Easier Path to Basketball Success – The CAA is a one-bid league, but that could make W&M’s road to March Madness more achievable.
✅ Lower Travel Costs – While expanding, the CAA still keeps many bus trips within the Mid-Atlantic region.
✅ Stability – Unlike some conferences dealing with major exits, the CAA has maintained continuity in football.

Cons of Staying in the CAA

❌ Basketball Has Declined – The CAA no longer has the national reputation it once did and is unlikely to ever receive multiple NCAA bids.
❌ Realignment Has Weakened the Brand – The additions of smaller, non-traditional programs have changed the league’s identity.
❌ The Conference is Evolving – Longtime programs and historic W&M rivals (like Delaware, Richmond, JMU) are leaving or have recently left.
❌ Lack of National Visibility – Compared to the A10, the CAA gets less media attention, which impacts recruiting and brand exposure for the school.

Given these pros and cons, the real question is: should W&M pursue higher athletics?

Scenario 1: A10 (or Equivalent) for Most Sports, CAA or Patriot for Football (Richmond model)

The Case for the A10 Move

The Atlantic 10 (A10) is one of the top mid-major basketball conferences in the country. Unlike the CAA, which is almost always a one-bid league, the A10 regularly sends multiple teams to the NCAA Tournament. Though they only sent one this year, to be fair.

For W&M basketball — a program still chasing its first-ever men’s tournament bid — this move could provide:

• Higher national visibility
• A more competitive schedule
• Better recruiting opportunities

Beyond basketball, Olympic sports like soccer, baseball, and volleyball would also face stronger competition and gain more national exposure.

Meanwhile, keeping football in the CAA allows the Tribe to stay in one of the strongest FCS football leagues.

This split model already exists at schools like Richmond — A10 for most sports, Patriot for football — though W&M could potentially one-up that structure by keeping football in the more competitive CAA.

Pros of A10 + CAA Football

✅ Stronger Basketball Conference – The A10 consistently sends multiple teams to March Madness. Though this does vary by year.
✅ Better Competition Across Sports – Olympic sports would face stronger opponents and gain greater exposure.
✅ CAA Football Remains a Powerhouse – The Tribe would still compete in one of the better FCS conferences.
✅ Recruiting Boost for Basketball – Playing in the A10 could help attract higher-caliber recruits.

Cons of A10 + CAA Football

❌ An A10 Invite Isn’t Guaranteed – Would the A10 want a school without a strong basketball history?
❌ Higher Travel Costs – A10 membership would likely require more flights and longer trips.
❌ Disjointed Conference Identity – Splitting affiliations across sports can create logistical and branding challenges.
❌ Risk of Struggles in A10 Hoops – Could W&M actually compete at a higher level, or would it be a perennial cellar dweller?
❌ Football Scheduling Complications – Managing split affiliations can add logistical headaches.

Scenario 2: Joining the Patriot (or Equivalent) for All Sports

The Case for the Patriot Move

The Patriot League is a conference known for its academic excellence. Schools like Colgate, Bucknell, and Lehigh share W&M’s emphasis on high-achieving student-athletes. The league values the student-athlete experience — and prioritizes academic alignment.

A move to the Patriot League would put W&M in a conference where institutional values match — but at a cost.

The biggest drawback is football. The competition is a serious step down. But at the end of the day, it’s still FCS football.

Basketball would also face a downgrade. The Patriot League is a one-bid conference with less national recognition than even the CAA — let alone the A10. While W&M might have an easier path to the Big Dance, the competition and visibility would be far lower.

Pros of Patriot League Membership

✅ Academic Alignment – Patriot League schools share W&M’s emphasis on academic success.
✅ Unified Conference Membership – Every sport competes under one league; no split affiliations.
✅ Lower Travel Costs – The league has a more compact footprint, reducing expenses.
✅ Easier Path to March Madness – A weaker basketball league could give W&M a higher chance of winning a bid.
✅ Emphasizes Student-Athlete Balance – Less pressure to prioritize athletics over academics.

Cons of Patriot League Membership

❌ Basketball Takes a Hit – The Patriot League has limited national recognition and lower competition levels.
❌ Weaker Rivalries – There is less crossover with traditional W&M rivals like Richmond.
❌ Less National Athletic Prestige – The Patriot League is not considered a top-tier conference in any major sport.
❌ Potential Drop in Overall Competitiveness – Many W&M programs would find themselves in a less challenging athletic environment.

Final Thoughts: Should W&M Make a Move?

At the heart of this debate is a simple question: What does William & Mary want to prioritize moving forward?

• If the goal is stronger competition, better basketball exposure, and maintaining football’s status, then the A10 + CAA Football model is compelling. It offers visibility, recruiting power, and higher stakes — but comes with logistical complexity and no guaranteed A10 invite.
  
• If W&M values academic alignment, a unified conference identity, and a more balanced approach to athletics, then the Patriot League makes sense. It’s a better cultural fit, with fewer costs — but it likely sacrifices football competitiveness and it certainly sacrifices national athletic prestige. And while a conference invite for the Patriot is more likely than for the A10, it’s never guaranteed.
  
• And finally, there’s always the option to stay in the CAA. Despite its flaws, the CAA remains a familiar home with strong FCS football, manageable travel, and a potentially winnable basketball path. Albeit, with an ever-decreasing number of comparable schools and traditional, long-term rivals.

So, Tribe fans — what do you think? Should W&M stay put, take the A10-style leap, or embrace the Patriot model? Should they stay put in the CAA? Drop your thoughts in the comments. Let’s keep the conversation going!

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